Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-31
EXPOSITION OR NOT?
HR. srARKws ApPLICATI0N TO THg CITY
COUNCIL OF BICag0ED.
Our People Can HAvea Grand Exhibition in
November. 1888. II They
WishIt.

sht. AhbtOH DAtlh's IlN0l"'hN VI '''N
State Agricultural Society, has returned
to the city, and yesterday was busy see
ing couucilmen and others to interest
them in the plan for holding an exposi-
ton here in tho month Of Novem-
her. 1855. lie has every reason
20 feel encouraged, aud no Doubt the
City Council viii DO in the premises that
which seems likely to promote the best
interests of the city. Some months ago
the City Council appointed committee
toadyisc with the Agricultural Societyand
report rtupou the question of the city pur-
chasing the Fair Grounds for n pubic
park but in view OF the fact that the
city docs not feel able TO make all
needed appropriations 10 improve
the parks It has, and for two
years past has not been able TO do all
that is needed in the way of maintaining
the condition of orr STREETS, il is unlike
iy that the park scheme viii prevail. Be
sides, il viii be unnecessary il the exposi-
ton project succeeds. The Identifying
Of the grounds would be a necessary con-
sequence OF the erection of the cxpoSi-
ton hail and it las been already con-
sldorod that rs soon after the erection OF
the hall-or simultaneous with that, if
practicable-the grounds should he laid
of in showv tiowcr-plots, with walks,
fountains, DC. A large portion of the
ground could be thus improved, and
that, too, without trcspassing upon the
space allotted to the mcc-track.
Mir. Stsrkc has undertaken a great
work. It Will cost him much in time,
money, and mental and physical effort
but if Richmond, as city and as n bust
ness community, wishes the exposition
and viii be Que half as liberal to the en-
ttrpliso rs Atlanta was TO hers-why, the
han viii be built, the exposition VII be
held. and We may then advertise to the
world, rs never before, the extent of our
manufacturing and commercial Interests.
The following letter explains what Mr..
StaThe asks OF the city:
TIE VIRGINIA STATE AGRICULTURAL So
ClgrT-CAN ITS PROPERTY BE CAPITAL
JED FOG TIE EENErIT OF ALL con
CERNTD
The letter of President Starke in to-
days Dly0lch should arrest the at
tention Of tine people of Richmond, the
City Council, the lile-members OF the
society, and all progressive citizens Of
the Commonwealth. In saying this |
propose 20 add few thoughts to those
which Nh StaIkc has SO iorcibly ex-
pressed.
The present valae cf the property OF
the society may be safely pat at the
figurcs-Sl20. .000-of the proposed
capitalization, with the prospective in
crease of value FROM location and the
growth of tue city liz its direction. The
scheme. rs 1t appelra. is this:
First. procure the city sassent. through
;he Council, TO unite to the
extent OF its line on the so
cicty's property bv merging, or rather
exchanging the debt now held into the
stock oil IA new corporation 70 be known,
rs may he suggested, as the Virginia
-4ssoci0tiDa; second, 10 obtain through
a general meeting Of the lile-membcrs,
then assent to the same thing, each
member 90 receive one share OF the
st1cs. being the primal cost OF his GER
udcatc Of membership and third, that
the stock shall nc sold to others at the
face value Of so, to tbs extent OF
cash fund necessary to commence at
once all necessary preparations for an
exposition the prescn: fall which will be
advantageous and crcditable to the State
and its capital city. Taking these three
features OF the scheme in their order. 1t
may be SAID:
l. The cityof Richmond has Issued its
> per cent. bonds, payable at thirty or
tlutv-fiyc years. and loaned them to the
am0uut Of $50, 600 g. the society, which
has given its mortgage on its property TO
secure the principal and annual interest.
This debt is Just one fourth of the pres
ent value of tho property as now pro-
posed 10 Dee capitalized. Will the city, rs
a dog in the maDGcr, stand aloof and
prevent the utilization OF the property
IN manner calculated 10 advance the IN
terest, of her citizens and OF the State,
when ID will stiI retain valid security
for the debt due by the society III the
shape of shares of stock which may be
worth rs much as her own bonds. carry
ing like interest, i'm the market? As q
matter Of progressive policy, It would
seem tha, tue risk, il any exists, should
be taken 10y prompt assent to TIE pro-
posed scheme.
-. ] he liie-mem5ership to the extent
of ot least two thirds of the whole IS
now contiaed 30 the city OF RlchIAond
anl tine ndjacent counties, so that II will
not be difficult to procure q general meet
ing, in which two thirds OF the member
ship must bc represented TO give legal
su"clon % the scheme. Thus tins,
which might be regarded rs the most Sc
rons obstacle, nay be 10y the residence
OF mcmb rs readily removed and the
plan OF the exposition be put IN imme-
diatc preparation for full consunma-
ton in October OF 1883.
3. The cap,aizing in stock at fair
present value of the societys property
iadlCstes safe investment - all stock
loll>rs. The property represents
3qni-uD capital. IN winch al can share
and have ample securlty for their invest
ments. with prospective profit OF direct
dividends and lar beyond these, the
Prospective aud Incidental advantages to
lie commercial int rests OF the city and
the productive industries Of the State.
or tne &l2O coo at which il Is sug-
eestcd the socic'y's property shall be
not more than SlUO,OOO VIII
he needed liucludiug the subscriptions
OF the city and liie-members) to put the
scheme in successful operation, bo that
so, ,OJO VIII bc left over Tor iutarc needs,
and to be sold above par rates # sue
cess attends the enterprise
Ix-PREsIDENT.
DcccmLcr %, 1857.